This policy is sent to institutions with each student’s scholarship payment. Students are required to sign and return a “college information sheet” to the Polk Education Foundation stating they have read and understand this scholarship policy.

  1. Scholarships administered by the Polk Education Foundation are funded by donors and will be paid out only after receipt of donor monies. 
  2. Polk Education Foundation scholarship monies are then sent to the institution of the student’s choice per the college information sheet each recipient completes and returns to the Foundation. Monies are to be spent for education expenses only and cannot be dispersed directly to the student. The institution must return any unused funds to the Polk Education Foundation after the student graduates, no longer attends the school or transfers to another institution.   
  3. All Polk Education Foundation scholarship funds are to be applied to direct college costs such as tuition, fees, and room and board, unless otherwise stated. If this scholarship, along with other financial aid, exceeds direct costs, then Polk Education Foundation funds may be used for textbooks.   
  4. If funds are not needed at the time of initial enrollment, Polk Education Foundation will hold funds for up to five years. After that time, unused funds return to the respective Polk Education Foundation scholarship accounts. If the scholarship account is no longer active, the funds are deposited in the Polk Education Foundation general scholarship fund. 
  5. The student must notify the Polk Education Foundation in writing if they change institutions. They are responsible for asking the institution they leave to return the funds to the Polk Education Foundation and then notify the Polk Education Foundation in writing of where the funds should be sent.
  6. If the student withdraws from a class during a term, the scholarship funds should be returned to the Polk Education Foundation. 
  7. Student must attend an institution accredited by a national regional accreditation association of colleges and schools.
  8. There are no specific academic progress requirements. As long as the student is allowed to remain in school under the institution’s standard academic progress rules, and the student abides by this scholarship policy, the student is eligible to receive the scholarship funds.

*** Exceptions: Denis Fontaine, Ernest L. Arbuckle Florida Trust, Fort Meade Community Health Care, Jamey Schwartz Memorial, John D. and Yonih Livingston Trust, Krater Family, Mary and Hunt Berryman, Maxcy Foundation, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, Ness Memorial, Ray and Anna Martin, Suzanne Yeiser Memorial, Union Academy Alumni, and Woman’s Club of Winter Haven MUST notify the Foundation with an updated transcript each year by June 15th. No reminder will be sent. Recipients must meet the minimum GPA requirements, as set by the donor, for annual renewal of funding.